Evaluation

For this project, we were asked to design a book. We were to choose a subject and include photographs, and a short piece of writing to conclude our book. I chose to base my book on the size conscious fashion and beauty industry. I incorporated food in my images, which worked well as it gave the model something to interact with.

I conducted my research through a blog, which is fast becoming a popular way for artists, photographers and designers to publicise themselves and their work. It made a change from working in a sketchbook, and I found it quite convenient to be putting straight onto the internet, as I mostly work digitally.

I think that my images were successful; as I used a commercial style of lighting, which gave them quite a glossy, fashion look. This helped to give the effect I was looking for. The feel that I selected the right sort of model, as she was naturally pretty, and was the average size of women in the UK. She took to using the props well, and looked like she was involved in the story. The images were not particularly retouched, which worked well as I wanted them to look naturally beautiful.

When I began working on the book, I was not entirely sure as to what I was going to do about the text. I experimented with using quotes from the model during the shoot, but this didn’t work at all. I also tried using relevant quotes regarding the topic as a whole, but this was also unsuccessful. I then decided to state the calorific value of each food product. I experimented with different sizes, but I wanted to make a statement through doing this. It contrasts with the model looking like she is enjoying the food, and not worrying about the calories along side her. I had a piece of writing at the end of the book, to sum up the theme, and put across my thoughts on the issue. I wanted to make people reconsider their opinion of the book that they have just looked at.

I chose to put together a landscape book, as my images were orientated that way. I would have liked to use the large option, but the cost was becoming very high and I found that the smaller, 10 x 8 inches book worked just as well.

Overall, I am happy with the outcome of my book, and I think I have achieved what I set out to do. The images were successful and professional looking, and the props worked well with the model.

Final Book

These images are from my final book.

I feel that it has been pretty successful, the cover works well with the images, as does the type.

I think that the book have the effect that I intended when I began the project, and I have achieved this buy creating something that looks very polished, and finished. I think the typeface I used, considering the size aswell, has a lot of impact and shows what I want to say in the right way. 

I am happy with my book, although I would have liked to have put a bit more text in at the end. I would also liked to have used more models, but unfortunately, with time limits, and other commitments, I was not able to expand on what I have already done.

Blurb Book is Done!

Finally, after a long evening, I have uploaded all the necessary files, and my book is ready to be ordered. I have used the downloadable templates, as they give the correct InDesign dimensions (although they were actually wrong so I had to change them manually, which slightly defeats the object of downloading them in the first place), and I have changed the various things after considering feedback.

Hand-Made Books

Today we had a workshop on handmade books. This was very interesting as we were taught how to make a book professionally, from scratch. It was a good experience, as the final product did look more personal, and this would be great for a particular style or subject of book, but I do not think that it would be good for my project, because, as I stated in a very early post, I would like it to look quite sleek, and almost like a coffee table book, so the reader has to think about the subject harder.

Layouts

Front Cover Options

My original idea was to have just white text, but after some discussion, I have tried to incorporate some colour, or quirkiness to it, as it was giving more sleek impression, which was not right for this book.

The colours represent the sweetness of the foods used, for example, the skittles in the forth image down. I have tried it out using various orders to experiment. I would still like to use the grey, as it works well with the images inside the book.

The following images are spreads from the book. There will most likely be another spread with a piece of writing to explain the reasoning behind the book, and this will add extra couple of pages.

I have decided to put the number of calories in large text next to the image. I wanted to make a statement, when considering the packaging in which all the food came in. The calories are the last thing that any of the manufacturers want the customers to see, so I have displayed it in this way to create an opposition.

I have used this typeface because I think that it works well with the images, and it is classic and smooth.

Final Images

Blogger won't let me upload my images from the final shoot today.
Will get them up ASAP!!

Have been using the Blurb software to compare it to using InDesign. Haven't made my mind up just yet, but I've found Blurb to be quite constricting in comparison to InDesign, so I will be trying it out a little more this week.

Final Shoot Tomorrow!

All the preparation is done for my final shoot tomorrow. Hopefully, it will all go fine so I won't have to shoot again! I have selected all my food carefully, bought ONE appropriate dress, so no costume overload, and a new(ish) backdrop, so it should all go ok. Hopefully.